Combined filler and drainer



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COMBINED FILLER AND DRRINER Filed March' 15. 1944 IN VEN TOR.

Patented Mar. 26, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINE]? FILLER AND DRAIN ER William E. Scott, Rochester, N. Y.

Application March 13, 1944, Serial No. 526,303 8 Claims.- (01. 103 262) This invention relates to a combined filler and drainer.

In my Patent 1,630,543 granted May 31, 1927, there is disclosed a filling and draining device which has been widely and conveniently used to fill a wash tub from the hot and cold faucets of a sink or to drain the contents of the tub into the sink. However, certain health authorities have objected to the use of this arrangement pointing out that if, under emergency conditions, the pressure of the water supply drops while the connection exists to the fold water faucet, the drain water can be drawn into the water system with a possible pollution thereof.

The present invention has for its purpose the production of a combined filler and drainer which retains all of the convenience and advantages of the device disclosed in my patent while obviating the possibility of polluting the water supply under the conditions mentioned.

For a clear understanding of the invention, reference is made to the drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the filler and drainer device of this invention related to a sink with its faucets as well as related to a tub to be filled and emptied by the device;

Fig. 2 is a front View, partly broken away, of the aspirator unit with its coupling element, both as used in the device;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken through the parts of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of an aspirator unit provided with a modified coupling element.

The combined filler and drainer of this invention includes an aspirator unit 5 provided with a coupling element 6 arranged to be connected preferably to the cold Water faucet I. The unit 5 is likewise provided with connection nipples 8, and 9. The nipple 8 has attached thereto, a piece of hose ll! of a convenient length for connection, by means of a coupling element ll, to the hot water faucet l2. The coupling element l i is similar in construction to that of the coupling element 6a (Fig. 4). The hose I preferably is long enough to reach the bottom of the sink I3 into which the faucets normally discharge when the filler and drainer is disconnected. The nipple 9 likewise has connected thereto, a piece of hose 15 of a length suflicient to reach to the very bottom of a tub l6 located near the sink.

With this arrangement, when the hose 10 is connected to the faucet l2, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and when the free end of the hose I is placed in a tub IS, the faucets l and 12 can be manipulated to fill the tub with water at the desired temperature. However, when it is desired to drain the tub, the free endof the hose I5- is placed on the bottom of the tub. Thereafter, the hose H1 is disconnected from the hot water faucet l2, which is now closed, and the free end of this hose is placed in the sink i3, as illustrated. The cold water faucet l is then opened so that cold water flows through the aspirator unit 5 and through the hose in into the sink. As this cold water thus flows through the unit, it also withdraws and carries with it water drained through the hose 15 from the tub l6 to be emptied.

The improved construction of the present invention preserves the convenience and utility of the device disclosed in my mentioned patent but eliminates even the remote possibility of pollution of the water supply under the conditions mentioned above. The present device includes a novel aspirator unit 5 shown with one type of coupling element in Figs. 2 and 3 and shown with another type of coupling element in Fig. 4. In its preferred form, the aspirator unit cornprises an elongated body provided at its lower end, as shown, with the previously mentioned connection nipple 3, and provided at its side with the mentioned connection nipple 9. The upper end of the body has a reduced portion l9, into which there is forcibly telescoped a nozzle or jet 26 opening into the enlarged chamber it within the body, and directed toward the nipple 9. The side wall of the jet 20' is provided with spaced indentations 22 which normally support a glass ball 23 in a position where water can flow past it. This ball in its abnormal position (see dotted line position Fig. 3) cooperates with a trap 24. This trap which is provided with at least one ball seat 25, is in the form of a sleeve having a forced fit with the interior of the jet. For convenience in assembly, both ends of the trap are provided with a ball seat so that there is no possibility of incorrect assembling. The mentioned upperend of the reduced portion 19 is provided with a coupling element. This coupling element. in the modification illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, is in the form of a rubber head 21 adapted to fit over the unthreaded end of a faucet being retained thereon by a divided clamping ring 28. In the preferred construction, the head 2! is molded from rubber having embedded therein the flange 29 on the upper end of the jet 20. The part of the head adjacent the body portion I9 is encased in a reinforcing metal ferrule 30 having an inturned flange 3|.

It will be noted that the several parts of the 1 term through the device.

unit are forcibly fitted together for quick and easy assembling. Thus, the ferrule 30 is easily forced on the head which has molded therein, the flange 29 of the jet. These parts, when put together'in this manner, can be assembled on the aspirator unit by forcibly fitting the jet into the reduced portion 19 of the body until the various parts occupy the position shown in Fig. 3. The trap 24 can be forcibly fitted in the jet 26 after the glass ball 23 has been placed therein- The forced fits between the several parts avoids leaks and affords economy in manufacture.

The modified form of the invention shown in Fig. 4, differs from that already described in that a coupling element for use with a screw type faucet is employed. In this modified device, the coupling element 6a is internally threaded for engagement with the threaded outlet of a faucet. This element is provided with a flange 33 which engages the flange 29 of the jet 20, a rubber washer 34 fits within the coupling element against the flange 29.

Under normal conditions the. device functions However, when the pres as pointed out above. sure in the water supply drops to a value where the directionv of flow through the faucet would be reversed, the ball valve 23 engages the seat 25 on the trap 24, as shown in the dotted position in Fig. 3. constitute a vacuum break which eliminates. the possibility of drain water entering the water sys- What I claim is:-

1. A receptacle filling and draining device comprising a T-shaped body having openings in its three ends, two of said openings being substantially in alinem-ent, a coupling adapted to connect a first one of said last-mentioned openings to a Water supply, a jet closely fitting in said mentioned openingend directed toward the second alined opening, a sleeve closely fitting i said jet, said sleeve being provided with a valve seat, a valve element cooperating with said valve seat, and a piece of hose communicating with the remaining opening in said body.

2. A receptacle filling and draining device comprising a T-shaped body having openings in its three ends, two of said openings being substantially in alinement, a coupling adapted to connect a first one of said last-mentioned openings to a water supply, a jet closely fitting in said mentioned opening and directed toward the second alined opening, a sleeve closely fitting in said jet, said sleeve being. provided with a Valve seat, a valve element cooperating with said valve seat, a hose communicating with said second alined opening and terminating in a coupling adapted to be connected to a water supply, and a piece of hose communicating with the remaining opening in said body.

3. A receptacle filling device comprising a hollow unit having three openings therein, a coupling element adapted to connect a faucet to one opening in the. unit, said coupling element comprising a hollow head of flexible material adapted to embrace said faucet and an adjustable clamp encircling said head to tighten the engagement of the head with the faucet, a hose communicating with a second opening in said unit, said hose terminating in a second coupling element adapted to be. connected to a second faucet, a second piece of hose communicating with said third opening and being. of a length sufiicient to reach into a receptacle to be filled, and

a check valve: within said device above the level V The ball valve and trap thus of said last-mentioned openings to a water supply, a jet forcibly telescoped in said first opening to discharge into said chamber in the direction of the second alined opening, said jet having spaced inwardly directed projections in the side wall thereof intermediate its ends, a sleeve closely fitting in said jet, said sleeve being provided with a valve seat, a ball valve element normally resting on said projections and arranged to engage said seat, a hose communicating with said second alined opening and terminating in a coupling adapted to be connected to a water supply, and a piece of hose communicating with the remaining opening in said body, said ball valve element and said seat cooperating toprevent a reverse flow through said jet and through said second piece of hose in the event that a siphon effect is created while the ejector is in operation.

5. A receptacle filling device comprising a hollow body having three openings therein, a coupling element adapted to connect a faucet to a first opening in the body,,a hose communicating with a second opening in said body, said hose terminating in a second coupling element adapted to be connected to a second faucet, a second piece of hose communicating with said third opening and being of a length sufiicient to reach into a receptacle to be filled, and a check valve unit between said coupling and said second opening to permit flow through said first opening into said body, said valve unit being responsive to conditions tending to cause flow in the reverse direction through said first opening for interrupting communication between'said body and said coupling.

6. A receptacle filling and draining device comprising a hollow unit having three openings therein, a coupling element adapted to connect a faucet to a first opening in the unit, a jet communicatin with said first opening and bein directed into the unit, a hose communicating with a second opening in said unit, said. hose terminating in a second coup-ling element adapted to be connected to a second faucet, a second piece of hose communicating with said third opening and being of a length sufficient to reach into a receptacle to be filled, and a valve interposed between said jet and said first opening, said valve least two ends, each provid'edi with an opening which communicates with said chamber, a flesible coupling adapted to connect a first one of said openings to a water supply, said coupling comprising a hollow head adapted to embrace a faucet or like outlet, an adjustable element encircling an intermediate portion of said head to cause said head to grip said faucet, a ferrule encircling and reinforcing a portion of said head adjacent its junction with said body, a tube telescoped in said first opening, said tube having a part anchoring said head to said body, said tube having an internal support intermediate its ends, a sleeve closely fitting in said tube, said sleeve being provided with a valve seat, a ball valve element normally resting on said support but arranged to engage said seat, and a piece of hose communicating with the remaining opening in said body, said ball valve element and said seat cooperating to prevent a reverse flow through said tube in the event that a siphon efiect is created While the device is in operation.

8. An aspirator type receptacle filling and draining device comprising a body having a chamber therein and provided with three ends, each provided with an opening which communicates with said chamber, two of said openings being substantially in alinement, a flexible coupling adapted to connect a first one of said last-mentioned openings to a water supply, said coupling comprising a hollow head adapted to embrace a faucet or like outlet, an adjustable element encircling an intermediate portion of said head to cause said head to grip said faucet, a ferrule encircling and reinforcing a portion of said head adjacent its junction with said body, a jet forcibly telescoped in said first opening to discharge into the chamber in the direction of the second alined opening, said jet having a part anchoring said head to said body, said jet having a support there in intermediate its ends, a sleeve closely fitting in said jet, said sleeve being provided with a valve seat, a ball valve element normally resting on said support but arranged to engage said seat, a hose communicating with said second opening and terminating in a coupling adapted to be connected to a water supply, and a piece of hose communicating with the remaining opening in said body, said ball valve element and said seat cooperating to prevent a reverse flow through said jet and through said second piece of hose in the event that a siphon effect is created while the device is in operation.

WILLIAM H. SCOTT. 

